Nine times African champions, the Super Falcons of Nigeria, started their 2023 FIFA Women World Cup with a draw against reigning Olympic champions, Canada, at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Australia early this morning.
In a match Canada dominated, particularly in the initial exchanges, it was Chiamaka Nnadozie in goal for Nigeria that made the difference as she saved a vital penalty in the second half to ensure that the Super Falcons who were dogged in the later part of the match get the draw.
Nnadozie went down well to deny Canada‘s Christine Sinclair from the penalty spot as the encounter ended goalless.
Randy Waldrum’s girls started the game on a back foot, with the Canadians dominating the exchanges and pressing upfront.
The first sight at goal came in the 9th minute when Christine Sinclair fired her effort just wide.
In the 14th minute, Francisca Ordega switched to defensive mode with a fine block to deny Canada charging into the box. It resulted in a corner which goalkeeper Nnadozie punched away.
Nigeria had the first and only shot of the first half when Ifeoma Onumonu fired a brilliant effort that required goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan parry the effort into the corner.
Asisat Oshoala had the best chance of first half when the ball found its way to her, but the effort from an acute angle was cleared away. It ended 0-0 at half-time.
The Canadians started the second half the same way they did in the first, and just two minutes later, they were awarded a penalty.
After a VAR review for a potential Canada penalty, Ordega was adjudged to have fouled Sinclair, and the referee awarded a spot kick.
In a spectacular fashion, goalkeeper Nnadozie went the right way to save Sinclair’s penalty and then punched away before a rebound attempt.
There were concerns on the Nigerian bench in the 69th minute when Nnaodozie went down the turf writhing in pain, but after medical attention, she managed to continue.
In the 95th minute, Deborah Abiodun was red-carded for a foul on a Canadian player, thus Nigeria ended the match with ten women.
Meanwhile, co-host nation Australia are top of the group with three points following a 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland.
Stephanie Catley scored the only goal of that game from the spot in the 52nd minute.
Nigeria and Canada have a point each, while the Republic of Ireland are bottom of the group with zero points.
